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Renal afferents and hypertension
John Ciriello1, Cleusa V R de Oliveira
1Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario N6A 5C1, Canada. John.ciriello@fmd.uwo.ca
Current Hypertension Reports
|March 9, 2002
Summary
The kidney senses internal changes via afferent renal nerves, influencing central nervous system activity. This sensory input can reflexively alter cardiovascular function and kidney function, potentially contributing to hypertension.
Area of Science:
- Nephrology
- Neuroscience
- Cardiovascular Science
Background:
- The kidney and autonomic nervous system are interconnected via renal nerves.
- Efferent renal sympathetic nerves modulate renal vascular resistance, renin release, and sodium/water balance.
- Emerging evidence suggests the kidney also functions as a sensory organ.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the sensory role of the kidney through afferent renal nerves.
- To understand how renal sensory information influences central nervous system activity.
- To elucidate the mechanisms by which renal afferent input affects cardiovascular and kidney function.
Main Methods:
- Investigation of renal chemoreceptors responding to interstitial fluid composition.
- Analysis of renal mechanoreceptors monitoring intrarenal hydrostatic pressure.
- Tracing afferent renal nerve pathways to the central nervous system.
Main Results:
- Afferent renal nerves transmit sensory information from renal receptors to the central nervous system.
- Activation of afferent renal nerves alters central integrative neuronal circuits.
- Renal afferent inputs can reflexively influence sympathetic nerve discharge and vasopressin release, impacting cardiovascular function and kidney function.
Conclusions:
- The kidney acts as a sensor, relaying information via afferent renal nerves to the central nervous system.
- This sensory feedback loop influences autonomic outflow and hormonal regulation.
- Activation of afferent renal nerves and subsequent sympathetic/hormonal changes are implicated in various forms of hypertension.